A bra with a retractable security pouch

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a bra having a retractable pocket for safely and securely storing a passport (and other large items) while not visibly revealing the presence of the passport under the clothes. The bra also has pockets in the bra shoulder strap for hiding rings, a side opening sleeve for a credit card in the side band and a removable slip pouch inside one or more cups for storing money.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to bras and undergarments. The presentinvention has particular but not exclusive application for women whotravel and to store small valuable items. The definition of bras in thespecification is broad and encompasses all forms of corsetry and supportclothing used to support a woman's breasts including tops withintegrated support bras.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bras or brassieres with concealed pockets and compartments are wellknown. US20110244758, US2012/0276812 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,597,072disclose bras with pockets in the cup sections of the bra. These pocketsare concealed on the inside of the bra and open at the top. Thedisclosures in US2013/0303052, US2013/0288569, and US2014/0051331disclose bras with top-opening pockets on the side or wings of thegarment. In the disclosure of US20090209173 there is a bra havingmultiple concealed pockets including one on the inside of a cup section,one on the bra strap and one between the two cup sections.

The disclosed bras with their concealed pockets and compartments havelimited capacity in the type of items they can hold and can only holdsmall items such as a credit card and keys. Furthermore the placement ofitems in the concealed pockets and compartments can make the bra veryuncomfortable for the wearer. The placed items in the pockets andcompartments can be difficult to retrieve and return while wearingclothing over the bra.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative brathat can hold valuable items and overcome at least in part one or moreof the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was developed by the inventor who took a differentapproach to storing items in a bra and considered making the bracomfortable for the wearer when the bra stored items. The invention wasalso developed with the view of discretely holding items by using thenatural contours of the woman's body and avoid unsightly bulges in thebra when items are stored therein.

In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra with one ormore retractable storage pockets extendable from the bra, wherein in usethe one or more retractable storage pockets extend from a lower portionof the bra.

In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra withone or more retractable storage pockets extendable from one or both cupsections or chest band of the bra, wherein in use the one or moreretractable storage pockets extend from a lower portion of the one orboth cup sections or chest band of the bra.

In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a bra withone or more retractable storage pockets extendable from one or both cupsections of the bra, wherein in use the one or more retractable storagepockets extend from a lower portion of the one or both cup sections ofthe bra.

Preferably there is one pocket on one or both cup sections of the bra.

Preferably the one or more pockets can be furled or folded to or beneaththe lower portion of the cup sections or within the cup sections whennot used.

The one or more pockets preferably open at the top.

The one or more pockets are preferably shaped and positioned to locateagainst the body to provide discrete storage without causing theclothing to bulge and indicate the presence of the stored item.

The one or more pockets is preferably of any suitable size. Morepreferably the one or more pockets are large enough to hold a passportor the like.

Preferably the one or more pockets are made of stretchable fabric andmore preferably elastic containing fabric.

In one form the bra is adjustable so that the wearer can adjust thecomfort of the bra depending on the wearer's activity and the number andtype of items stored in the one or more pockets.

More preferably the bra is adjustable while the wearer is wearing thebra. Preferably the bra is adjustable with an adjustment means at thefront of the bra. The bra preferably has an adjustment mechanism toloosen or tighten the chest band or portion of the bra around a wearer'sbody during use. More preferably the adjustment mechanism is positionedso that a wearer can loosen or tighten the chest strap or portion of thebra without removing the bra.

The bra can be any type of bra such as a sports bra, T shirt bra,racerback bra, underwire bra, bra with spaghetti type straps, seamlessbra, French knit bra, strapless bra, backless bra, push up bra, full cupbra, demi-cup bra, shelf bra and padded bra.

The bra can optionally include one or more additional pockets.Preferably the one or more additional pockets are selected from one ormore side pockets, one or more pockets in the bra straps, one or morepockets in the one or both cup sections, and one or more pockets in aportion between the cup sections. The bra can include any combination ofadditional pockets selected from those mentioned above.

The side pocket is preferably located on one or more of the wings of thebra. Preferably the side pocket is opened from the side. More preferablythe side pocket is partially closed near the top of the opening. Thepartial closure is preferably formed by one or more stitches. The sidepocket can preferably hold a credit card, hotel room key card or key.

Preferably the one or more pockets in the one or more bra straps is topopening and can hold small items such as rings and the like.

The one or more pockets between the cup sections is preferably a singletop-opening pocket. More preferably the single top-opening pocket doesnot overlap the cup sections. The single top opening pocket is suitablefor storing jewelry such as rings and lipstick and the like.

The bra can preferably have one or more top-opening pockets internal ofone or both cup sections.

Different combinations of described features even when not expresslystated are herein described and claimed.

The one or more retractable storage pocket as described in the firstaspect allows the wearer to readily unfurl or unfold the pocket and usethe pocket for storing items such as a passport which need to be storedsecurely. The pocket is a drop down pocket. The drop down pocketpreferably allows the wearer to discreetly and comfortably secure herpassport or other valuables in a way that is inaccessible to a thief. Itpreferably allows the wearer to keep her valuables close to her personand so prevent accidental loss of a valuable item. It preferably hidesvaluable items and the wearer will not be separated from her valuables.The retractable storage pocket is preferably designed to allow the userto fold or roll up the storage pocket and conceal the storage pocketunder the chest strap and/or the cup portion of the bra when the storagepocket is not needed for storage.

In a preferred embodiment, the bra comprises a first portion adapted toextend from a left cup portion and a right cup portion and around theback of the wearer, a second portion adapted to be positioned over thewearer's shoulder; and a retractable storage pocket extendabledownwardly relative to the first panel and a side pocket on each side ofthe bra.

In one preferred embodiment the bra has a small compartment in theshoulder strap for storing rings; a retractable pocket attached to thechest band or cup section for storing a passport; a side pocket forminga sleeve in the side of the band wherein the side pocket is for holdinga credit card and hotel room key card, and a removable slip pouch insidethe one or both cups for comfortably and discreetly storing money. Thebra is adjustable at the front and/or side so the wearer can loosen offthe bra band when seated while travelling without having to remove thebra or reach around to the back.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understoodreference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustratea preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of one preferred embodiment of the bra ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an outside back section of the bra ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an inside front section of the bra ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a stretched-out diagrammatic view of the outside of a secondpreferred embodiment of the bra of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a stretched-out diagrammatic view of the inside of the bra ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a stretched-out diagrammatic view of the outside of a thirdpreferred embodiment of the bra of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a stretched-out diagrammatic view of the outside of a fourthpreferred embodiment of the bra of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the figures there are shown a number of differentpreferred embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown abra 10 comprising cup sections 11, shoulder straps 12 and chest strap13. The shoulder straps 12 join at the back to form a racer-back strap15. Between the cup sections 11, there is a V section 16. The bra 10 ismade of any suitable material including cotton, stretchable material,mesh material and or combinations thereof. Preferably the racer-backstrap 15 is of mesh material and the V section 16 is of stretchableelastic material. The bra 10 has a drop down retractable pocket 20 madeof stretchable material. The drop down retractable pocket 20 is attachedto the chest strap 13 below a cup section 11. In another embodimentthere are two drop down retractable pockets each of which are extendedfrom the chest strap 13 and below respective cup sections 11. The dropdown retractable pocket 20 has a top opening 21 through which items canbe placed. The drop down retractable pocket 20 is preferably made ofstretchable material in order to prevent large items from moving. Thedrop down retractable pocket 20 can be made of any suitable size. Thedrop down retractable pocket 20 in a preferred embodiment is able tosecurely hold a passport. The position of the drop down retractablepocket 20 attached to the chest strap 13 is such that the drop downretractable pocket 20 follows the contours of the body when items suchas a passport are securely stored therein. With the drop downretractable pocket 20 in an extended position where it follows thecontours of the body, there is minimal bulging or indication in theouter clothing of the presence of the passport or other stored item.When not in use the drop down retractable pocket 20 can be furled orfolded to the chest strap 13 or inside the cup section 11.

The bra 10 has a top-opening pocket 25 in the shoulder strap 12. Thetop-opening pocket 25 is adjacent the cup section 11. In anotherembodiment there is a top-opening pocket 25 in both shoulder straps 12.The top-opening pocket 25 is suitable for securely storing smaller itemssuch as rings and other jewelry.

The bra 10 also has a side-opening pocket 27 along one of the sides orwings of the bra 10. The side opening pocket 27 is suitable for securelystoring elongate items such as credit cards, key cards and keys. Theside opening pocket 27 is shown in FIG. 2. The side opening pocket 27has an opening 28 with a closure 29 in a top section 30 of the opening28 so that if the card or item moves upwards during normal activities itwill be prevented from accidently falling-out of the opening 28 by theclosure 29. In another embodiment there is a side opening pocket 27 onboth sides or wings of the bra 10.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is shown a top-opening V shaped pocket35 with an opening 36. The top-opening V shaped pocket 35 is positionedbetween the 2 cup sections 11 and the opening 36 is internallyaccessible. The top-opening V shaped pocket 35 can securely storejewelry and or elongated items such as lipstick. In FIG. 3 there is alsoshown internal cup section pocket 39 in both cup sections 11. Theinternal cup section pockets have an opening 40 near the top of the cupsection 11. The opening 40 is internally accessible. The cup sectionpockets 39 are suitable for securely storing thin and/or soft items suchas bank notes and important papers. In a preferred embodiment there is apocket formed between the inner and outer surfaces of the one or morecups for storing money. In another preferred embodiment the internal cupsection pockets are one or more removable slip pouches.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown a sports type bra 50 madeof stretchable material. The sports type bra 50 has a drop downretractable pocket 51. The drop down retractable pocket 51 is similar instructure and function to the drop down retractable pocket 20 in FIG. 1.The drop down retractable pocket 51 is internally attached to the cheststrap 52 as shown in FIG. 5. There is also shown a top-opening V shapedpocket 54 positioned between the cup sections 55. The top-opening Vshaped pocket 54 is similar in structure and function to the top-openingV shaped pocket 35 shown in FIG. 3. The top-opening V shaped pocket 54is internally accessible.

With reference to FIG. 6, there is shown a third embodiment of the brabeing a bra 60 with spaghetti type back straps 61. The bra 60 has a dropdown retractable pocket 63 which is attached to the inside of the cheststrap 64. The bra 60 also has a side opening side pocket 66. The sideopening side pocket 66 has a closure 67 at the top of the opening 68 toprevent accidental loss of the stored cards and like.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment with bra 70 having two cup sections 71and two drop down retractable pockets 72 attached to the inside of thechest strap 73 and extending downwards from respective cup section 71.

The invention of having one or more drop down retractable pockets andoptionally additional pockets in the shoulder strap V section or wing orside sections or in the cup sections can be applied to or used withdifferent types of bras and is not limited to one particular type ofbra.

The bra of the invention can also include an adjustable mechanism sothat it can be loosened when the wearer is sitting down or tightenedwhen the wearer is walking and moving around. The adjustable mechanismcan be any suitable form of mechanism known in the industry such as anadjustable hook and loop system or clip system between the cup sectionsthat allow the release and attachment of the cup sections or increaseand decrease of the space between the cup sections. Alternatively, therecan be a form of a tightening dial or similar device to increase ordecrease the spacing between the cup sections.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages of the preferred embodiment of the bra include providinga safe and secure retractable pocket for the storing of a passport (andother large items) while not visibly revealing the presence of thepassport under the clothes. The preferred embodiment also provides theadvantage of optional pockets in the bra shoulder strap for hidingrings, a side opening sleeve for a credit card or hotel room key card inthe side band and a pocket formed between the inner and outer surfacesof the one or more cups for storing money. The bra of the preferredembodiment also has an adjustment mechanism at the front and/or side sothe wearer can loosen off the bra band when seated while travellingwithout having to remove the bra or reach around to the back.

The advantage of the preferred embodiment of the bra is that the wearercan discreetly and comfortably store valuables such as credit card,hotel room key card, cash, a passport and/or small jewelry in the brawhile it is worn while she is travelling on foot, on planes, on trains,in cars and buses. Furthermore the wearer can discreetly adjust the braband while seated without having to remove the bra or reach to the backof the bra to adjust the tightness. As well the overall appearance ofthe bra is not affected by the storage pockets and adjustment mechanism.

VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given byway of illustrative example of this invention, all such and othermodifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to personsskilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambitof this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word“comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and“comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components,integers or steps.

1. A bra with one or more retractable storage pockets extendable fromone or both cup sections or chest band of the bra, wherein in use theone or more retractable storage pockets extend from a lower portion ofthe one or both cup sections or chest band of the bra.
 2. A bra asclaimed in claim 1 wherein there is one pocket on one or both cupsections of the bra.
 3. A bra as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one ormore pockets can be furled or folded to or beneath the lower portion ofthe cup sections or within the cup sections when not used.
 4. A bra asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more pockets open at the top.
 5. Abra as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more pockets are shaped andpositioned to locate against the a body to provide discrete storagewithout causing the clothing to bulge and indicate the presence of thestored item.
 6. A bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or morepockets are large enough to hold a passport or the like.
 7. A bra asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the bra is adjustable so that a wearer canadjust the comfort of the bra depending on the wearer's activity and anumber and type of items stored in the one or more pockets, the bra canbe adjusted while it is being worn.
 8. A bra as claimed in any claim 1wherein there is an adjustment mechanism to loosen or tighten the chestband or portion of the bra around a wearer's body while being worn,
 9. Abra as claimed in claim 8 wherein the adjustment mechanism is a hook andloop system, a clip system or a dial type system.
 10. A bra as claimedin claim 1 wherein the bra can be adjusted at the front between the twocup sections.
 11. A bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bra is asports bra, T shirt bra, racerback bra, underwire bra, bra withspaghetti type straps, seamless bra, French knit bra, strapless bra,backless bra, push up bra, full cup bra, demi-cup bra and padded bra.12. A bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bra has one or moreadditional pockets.
 13. A bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bra hasone or more additional pockets selected from one or more side pockets,one or more pockets in the bra straps, one or more pockets in the one orboth cup sections, and one or more pockets in a portion between the cupsections or combinations thereof.
 14. A bra as claimed in claim 13wherein the one or more pockets between the cup sections is a singletop-opening pocket and does not overlap the cup sections.
 15. A bra asclaimed in claim 13 wherein the one or more pockets is a top-openingpocket internal of one or both cup sections.
 16. A bra as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the bra has one or more side pockets.
 17. A bra asclaimed in claim 16 wherein the one or more side pockets are located onone or more of the sides or wings of the bra and are opened from a side.18. A bra as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of the one or more sidepockets is partially closed near a top of the side opening.
 19. A bra asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the bra has a small compartment in ashoulder strap for storing rings, a retractable pocket attached to thechest band or cup section for storing a passport, a side pocket forminga sleeve in a side of the chest band wherein the side pocket is forholding at least one credit card and a removable slip pouch inside theone or both cups for discreetly storing money.
 20. A bra with one ormore retractable storage pockets extendable from one or both cupsections or chest band of the bra, in use the one or more retractablestorage pockets extend from a lower portion of the one or both cupsections or chest band of the bra, wherein the bra has one or more sidepockets located on one or more of the sides or wings of the bra, theside pockets having side openings.